Oeder GALLIFOBMES.] 



[Family PHASIANIDiE. 



COTURNIX NOY^-ZE ALAND I^E. 



(NEW ZEALAND QUAIL.) 



Coturnix novae-zealandiae, Quoy et Gaim. ; Buller, Birds of New Zealand, vol. i., p. 225. 



On my last visit to Christ church, I had an opportunity of examining an exceptionally fine 

 pair of skins, formerly in the collection of the late T. H. Potts. As comparatively so few 

 specimens of this extinct bird now exist, I think the notes I made on that occasion are worth 

 recording. 



Ad $ . Has the throat and cheeks pale chestnut, of which colour also there are irregular 

 patches mixed with the ordinary plumage of the breast, the whole of which, as well as the upper 

 part of the abdomen, is marked with small patches of black, presenting together a very 

 handsome appearance ; the lower abdomen to the vent is pale fawn colour ; and the long plumage 

 of the sides overlapping the femora is very showy, each feather having a central spot of 

 yellowish white. The feathers of the hind-neck, shoulder, and back, the scapulars and wing- 

 coverts, and indeed the whole of the plumage of the upper surface, exhibits fine-pointed shaft 

 streaks of yellowish white. 



Ad 2 . Very dark as compared with the specimens in my collection. Crown and sides of 

 the face dark brown varied with pale brown ; throat pale fawn colour without any markings ; 

 feathers covering sides of the body marbled with black and with conspicuous shaft streaks of 

 white ; the feathers of the breast and under parts presenting black horse-shoe markings ; the 

 scapulars black with pale brown edging and a distinct white shaft line, and sparingly marked 

 with wavy bars of chestnut. The yellowish-white or pale fawn-coloured throat corresponds 

 to the chestnut throat of the male, but the patch of colour on the latter is more extensive 

 and conspicuous. 



It is said that a specimen of the New Zealand Quail was obtained on Eacecourse Island in 

 the Okarita Lagoon as lately as the year 1871, but there is no absolute evidence of it. If true, 

 this individual bird must have been about the last of its race. 



After closing my account of this species in the 'Birds of New Zealand' (vol. i., pp. 225- 

 228) — in which I had said, "it is probably now extinct, for no specimen has been heard 

 of for at least twelve years " — I added a footnote to the effect that, after the article had been sent 

 to press, I had received from the Colony the welcome intelligence that the last refuge of this 

 expiring species had just been discovered at the Three Kings, a group of small islands situated 

 about thirty-two miles west-north-west of Cape Maria van Diemen. The ' Hinemoa ' had called 

 in there on her return from annexing the Kermadec Islands, and those who landed reported 

 having seen several bevies of New Zealand Quail, which were described as being comparatively 

 tame and fearless. Mr. Cheeseman (who was one of the party on that occasion) visited the 

 islands again ; and, writing to me on the 10th June, 1890, he said : " I obtained a nest with five 

 eggs of the Quail when at the Three Kings, last summer. I almost trod upon the bird ; in fact, 

 she rose between my feet ; and glancing downwards I saw the eggs. I had no gun with me at 

 the time, and consequently the bird escaped. I spent one morning hunting over the island with 

 a gun, but never got the chance of a shot, although I started three or four couples. They are by 

 no means plentiful. I do not think I saw over a dozen the three days I spent on the island." 



